How can temperature lead

to weathering of rocks?
Rocks become ice
when they get cold,
which can later melt
and wash away.
Rocks can melt
when they become
hot, which can lead
to pieces breaking
off.
Rocks move faster
when they are
heated, which can
cause the pieces to
eventually move
away.
Rocks expand and
contract when they
are heated and
cooled which cause
them to break.

1 answer

The correct explanation of how temperature leads to the weathering of rocks is:

Rocks expand and contract when they are heated and cooled, which causes them to break.

This process is known as thermal expansion and contraction. When temperatures rise, rocks can expand; when temperatures drop, they contract. Over time, these repeated cycles of expansion and contraction can create stress in the rocks, leading to cracking and eventually breaking apart, which is a form of physical weathering.